In a recent collection of book releases, several works explore diverse scientific and philosophical themes, ranging from the microscopic world to humanity's relationship with nature. Geertje Dekkers' biography, "Myriad, Microscopic and Marvellous," published by Reaktion in 2025, delves into the life and discoveries of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, the 17th-century microbiologist.
Dekkers recounts how in 1674, van Leeuwenhoek, examining lake water under a microscope, observed single-celled organisms, including bacteria and protozoa, moving rapidly. The book also details his accurate descriptions of red blood cells, capillaries, striated muscle fibres, spermatozoa, and the crystalline lens of the eye. Van Leeuwenhoek's contributions were highly valued by the UK Royal Society, which mourned the loss of its "most valuable correspondent" upon his death in 1723, according to Dekkers.
Another book, "Naturekind," published by Princeton University Press in 2025, explores the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. Anthropologists Melissa Leach and James Fairhead examine how people interact with various living and non-living entities, including chickens, horses, bees, bats, plants, forests, seas, soils, and cities. The authors develop the concept of biosemiotics, linking biological findings to the study of meaning in sign systems, also known as semiotics. This approach considers the communities and cultures through which humans are inextricably linked with wider life.
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Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician whose work was crucial to the development of GPS technology, has passed away at 95. Her contributions involved complex calculations and modeling of the Earth's shape, which ultimately enabled the accurate satellite navigation system used globally today, highlighting the profound impact of mathematical modeling on modern technology and society.
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